Ernest Osborne, 89, of Moore Avenue, Sprowston, died at his home on January 8 after developing mesothelioma decades after his exposure.

Norfolk Coroner’s Court heard that his illness was most likely caused during carpentry work in the 1970s, when he handled asbestos-containing boards without protection. 

Norfolk Coroner's Court in Norwich (Image: Denise Bradley)

Born in Lowestoft on September 19, 1936, Mr Osborne was the youngest of five children.

He left school at 15 and later completed National Service with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

He also spent four years in the Merchant Navy, although he did not believe he encountered asbestos during either of those occasions. 

The inquest instead heard how his later work fireproofing doors led to regular exposure to asbestos dust while cutting Asbestolux panels, a type of insulating board. 

In an in-life statement, Mr Osborne described the conditions: “It created clouds of fine asbestos dust in the air, which then settled on the ground.

"When sawing these sheets my face had to be close to the Asbestolux.

“We also had to frequently blow the dust away, which caused more asbestos to disperse around.

"[After dry sweeping] it would fly in the air again and onto my clothes."

Area coroner for Norfolk Yvonne Blake (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Osborne said he was never given training about the dangers of asbestos or provided with protective equipment. 

He developed a persistent cough in September 2024, and scans later confirmed mesothelioma, a diagnosis described as an “immense shock” to him and his family. 

Before his illness, he remained active, walking daily to get his newspaper, playing bowls and dancing with his wife, Christine.

Area coroner Yvonne Blake concluded he died from an industrial disease linked to asbestos exposure.

© Eastern Daily Press